Kevin Wang New Thiel Fellow

18-year-old from Vernon Hills awarded prestigious tech fellowship

Kevin Wang 1 of 22 Thiel Fellows that will complete a 2-year program in San Francisco

By Wailin Wong

Source: Chicago Tribune

May 16, 2013

An 18-year-old Vernon Hills native is among this year’s recipients of the Thiel Foundation fellowship, which awards $100,000 to entrepreneurs under the age of 20.

Kevin Wang, a graduate of the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, is one of 22 Thiel Fellows that will complete a two-year program in San Francisco. The initiative, created by entrepreneur and venture capitalist Peter Thiel, is designed as an alternative to college for budding entrepreneurs and technologists. Fellows are required to give up other employment or educational enrollment for the program’s two years, which they spend building companies and connecting with mentors.